Continuous filter-press.



A. J'. ARBUGKLE. CONTINUOUS' FILTER PRESS.

APPLICATION I'ILED'MAY 11, 1908.

Patented Dec. 1,1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

, A.' J. ARBUGKLE. l`CONTINUOUS FILTER PRESS. fAPPLwATIoN' HLLD xu1"1,19os.

Patented Dec. l1, 1908.

s sums-SHEET a. v

.UNITED 'sTaTEs rATENTEErcE. f

ALEXANDER J'oHN ARBUGKLE, OEJQEANNESEURG, TEANsvAE.

" CoNTInUos Er1..'1Ert-PrtEss;V

s speeifieetien of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 11, V1908. Serial No. 432,090.

Patented Dee. 1, loos.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER J OHN AR- EUCKLE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and resident of Johannesburg, Transvaal, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Continuous Filter- Presses, of which the following is a specilication. n

This invention relates to continuous filtering apparatus of thetype known as filter presses and is primarily ldesigned for effecting the continuous separation of cyanid Vor other solvent solutions, water washes and the like, from crushed ore products. p'

The `invention may however Vbeutilized for effecting the separation of other solids from liquid, as for example for removing'the solids from sewage andthe like.

The apparatus comprises a vessel 1for receiving the mixture of solids and liquid, which vessel may comprise a mainfcylindrical or other suitably shaped uppersection and an inverted ,conical or,V funnel shaped base or lower section, bolted ory otherwise suitably attached thereto or `formed in one piece therewith.

In the walls of the upper 'and lower sections of the vessel areprovided a plurality of detachable filtering devices. `These -devices are preferably connected by suitable tubular connections withV `a pump or pumps fori returning a small quantity of p, the, solution with more or lesssudlen impactv against and through the filtering medium of said devices, to prevent the closingrof the interstices of said mediumg: l A ,Y s,

In the upper portion ofthe receiving 'vessel is arranged a main piston, plunger, or press to which a reciprocating motion is imparted. The miXture'of solids and liquid enters the vessel through a preferably annular chamber or recess formed round the upper portion of. the receiving vessel on the inside, and the mixture or charge flows hinto or plunger. `In the main' piston or plunger are provided one or more pumping devices `which serve for withdrawing the separated liquid from the interior of the main piston or plunger and'delivering it into a launder or receptacle surrounding the upper portion of'said piston or plunger. Within the lower inverted Vconical sectionV of the receiving vessel is arrangeda rotatable shaft on which are provided arms or blades which operate to discharge or` accelerate the discharge of the separated solids through an outlet or outlets provided at the bottom of the vessel.

'h'Ihe invention will now be'more fully described by aid of the accompanying draw? ings, wherein Figure l is an elevation of a machine comprising three of the filtering apparatus or filter presses. Fig. 2 is a plan of Fig. 1 with the driving mechanism removed. Fig. 3 is an elevation, partly in section of one of the filtering presses. Fig. 4 isa plan of the underside of the main piston or plunger. Fig. 5 is an elevation of one of the filtering devices (8) as seen from the inside with the filtering meditun removed. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of Fig. 5 on the line withthe filtering material in position.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of one of the back pressureY pumps for returning a portion of the liquid through the filtering device 8. Fig. 8 is a plan of one half of the main filter plate 35,and Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the filter plate 35, on the line yg/ of Fig. 8. s

V1 represents aframework or structure for carrying` ,the three filter presses, and the driving gear therefor.

The receiving and separating vessel of each of the filter pressesis shown consisting of an intermediate section 2 flanged at both ends, an upper section 3 flanged at both ends, and alower inverted conical or funnel shaped section 4, also flanged at both ends. Theseseveralsections are bolted, riveted or otherwise secured together through the flanges 5, see Fig.,3. rIfhe bottom flange of the upper section 3 'is shown formed with lateral extensions 6, see more particularly Fig. 3, which rest upon the timbers o f the framework or structure l for supporting the receiving vessel.

Vhile I prefer to construct the vessel in sections for convenience in manufacture and in the working of the apparatus, it will'be apparent that this vessel may be constructed in one piece or that any two sections of the receiving vessel may be made in one piece.

In the walls of the intermediate and lower sections 2, 4, are formed apertures 7 in which are fitted detachable filtering devices. One of the detachable filtering devices is illustrated in detail in Figs. 3 and 6. It comprises a plate or piece 8 which is made hollow to form a receiving chamber 9 for the filtered liquid. In the inner face of the plate or piece 8 are formed concentric circular grooves 10 which communicate with the chamber 9, the rings 11 formed by the grooved face being connected by the webs or ribs 12. Over the perforated and grooved inner face of the plate 8 is fixed filter cloth or other suitable filtering material 13 which may be clamped or otherwise secured in position in the peripheral groove 14 or otherwise. in the outside of the plate 8 is formed a hole 15 which communicates with the chamber 9. The hole 15 is made of a sufficient size to allow for the free passage of the filtered liquid into a flexible or rigid pipe or tube communicating with a back pressure pump hereinafter referred to. The several filtering devices may be formed with an external screw thread and be screwed into the apertures 7 in the sections 2, 4, of the vessel, or be bolted or otherwise suitably fixed thereto.

Arranged in the upper section 3 or upper portion of the receiving and separating vessel is a main piston, plunger or press comprising the cylinder 16 made a sliding fit inside the vessel. rl`he upper section 3 is constructed to provide a stufiing box 17 for a gland 17a round the cylinder 16, for making a liquid-tight sliding joint round the latter. The bottom or inner end 18 of the cylinder 16, which may be formed in one piece with the cylinder, is perforated and, see Fig. 4, grooved on the outside, the grooves 19 serving to place the perforations or apertures 20 in communication. The top 21 which may also be constructed in one piece with the cylinder 16, is formed with one or more apertures 22 in which are arranged lift pumps. These lift pumps are shown comprising a cylindrical casing or pump barrel 23 fianged at the top and fixed to the top or cover' 21. Fixed to the lower end of the pump barrel 23 is a cover 24 which forms a seating for the suction valve 25. 26 represents the bucket or piston and 27 the delivery valve. The pump rod 28 which is attached to the bucket or piston 26 is rigidly attached to an angle iron cross-piece 29 secured to the top horizontal beams of the framework or structure 1. In this way the bucket or piston 26 is held stationary while the pump barrel 23 i's reciprocated with the main piston, plunger or press 16. 1n the drawing I show each main piston, plunger or press provided with four of the lift pumps, although more or less may be provided. In place of the lift pumps shown any other suitable type of pump may be employed. The main piston plunger or press 16 is reciprocated within the upper and intermediate sections 3, 2, of the receiving and separating vessel by means of a rod 30 rigidly attached thereto.

31 is a crank shaft provided with a crank 32 for each main piston, plunger or press. This shaft 31 rims in bearings 33 carried by the main structure 1 above each receiving vessel. Connection is made between the rods 30 and their cranks 32 by means of bifurcated connecting rods 34.

For each press I provide a filter plate 35, which as shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 9. is grooved concentrically on both faces and constructed with radiating grooves 36. 'lhe concentric grooves 37 and radial grooves 36 form channels along which the separated liquid may pass through holes 33 foi-ined through the plate in suitable positions. l`he plate 35 is constructed with a central hole 39 for securing it by means of a plate 170, see Fig. 3, to the bottom 13 of the press. Une or both sides of the filter plate 35 is or are covered with filter cloth or other snitable filtering material 41, as found requisite or desirable.

To the bottom 1S of the press is fixed a cylinder 42, open at both ends, which is concentrically disposed within the receiving vessel. It is formed at the top with an external flange 43 for fixing it to the bottoni '13 o't the press. The set screws or equi 'alent means used for fixing the cylinder 42. may also serve for attaching the filter plate 35 to the press.

The upper section 3 of the receiving vessel is constructed as shown more particularly in connection with Fig. 3 to provide an annular internal recess 44 surrouiuling the plunger oi press 16. lt is also constructed with flanged inlet branches 45, see Figs. 2 and 3, which serve for introducing the inixture of solids and liquid into said annular recess 44. The mixture enters the receiving vessel when the main plunger o1' press 16 moves sufficiently far in an upward direction to uncover or partially uncover said recess 44, the cylinder 42 then serving to defiect the incoming stream into the intermediate section 2 of the vessel. 0n the down stroke of the plunger or press the recess 4tis closed to the vessel and the supply cut oil'. As shown in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 the flanged branches 45 are bolted together so that the mixture fiows from the annular recess 44 of the one vessel to the annular recesses of the other vessels. conveyed by pipe communicating` with ont` or more branches 45 of the vessels.

Surrounding the top 21 of each n'iain plunger or press 16 is a launder 46 of annular or other suitable shape provided with a rl`he mixture is discharge spout 47, see Fig. 2. `This an-V nular launder 46 mayas shown consist of a 47 which may be arranged to discharge into` an inclined launder 48,v see Fig.l 1.

`For each of the filtering devices or filter plates 8 I preferably provide a suitable small back pressure pump. These back pressure pumps, as shown in connection with' Fig. 1, may be in two or any other, suitable number of tiers or rows in `the lower portion of the framework or structure 1, or in any other suitable position in relation to the receiving and separatingvessels. rI`he pumps may be worked by means of a shaft land' gearing located in `any convenient position in relation thereto, as for example in the space immediately above them in the framework'. This driving mechansim for the pumps is arranged so that theyV work synchronously with the main piston,'plunger`or press 1.6.and so that the number of strokes of the back pressure pumps shall be thesameas those ofthe main plunger or press. Instead of employing separate pumps foreach filtering device 8 one pump might be employed with Aseparate pipes and connections', means being provided for shutting off or closing any one pipe.

4In Fig. 7 I show one of the back pressure pumps drawn to an enlarged scale. It comprises a cylinder or casing 49 provided with an aperture -50 at. the bottom to which is connectedone end of a flexible or rigid pipe 51, see Fig. 1, the other-end of which pipe is attached to the aperture in the outside of the filter plate 87 to place `the chamn ber 9 in communication withthe interior of the cylinder or casing 49. 'Ihe cylinder 49, is constructed to forma stuffing boxV 52 at the top inwhich is fitted -ialgland l58. `54 is a hollow plunger formed `with an aperture 55 at the'bottom and constructed at the top with a discharge pipe 5 6 and sluice valve 57. `The pipes `56`of the several pumps may be arranged to discharge the separated solution or liquid into a launder or other means along Iwhich it may flow to the sump or otherwise for treatment to recover .the metal contents of the solution or liquid.' 58 is the pump rod working within the hollow plunger 54 and constructed at the lower end as a piston valve 59 and formed with a shoulder f `can be readilyV disconnected and the filter plate 8 immediately removed for renewal of the filter cloth, or otherwise as required. A .valve is preferably provided for each ipe 51, which valveniay be conveniently xed to thefilter'plate 8 so as to allow any filter plate to be shut o, as for example in the adjusted by a weight 62 fixed by means of set-screw or the like on an arm or lever 63.

On to the flanged lower end of the inverted conical or funnel shaped section 4 of the receiving vessel is xed a cover or plate 64 constructed to form outlets 65for the separated solid matter. The separated solid matter discharged through the outlets 65 may be delivered lnto a puddler or a tank for re-washing or further treatment with the solvent solution, or be conveyed in any convenient manner` to a residue dump or depositing site. These outlet branches 65 may1 as shown, Vbe constructed with flanges for fixing thereto a blind valve or plate for closing them when commencing the operation of the press and until such time as a suflicient ac cumulation of the solids has been obtained in the receiving vessel. The blind valves or plates are then removed and the discharge of the solids is then continuous. Within the lower conical or funnel shaped section 4.of the t receiving vessel are arranged means for accelerating the dlscharge of the solids through the outlets 65. These means are shown comprising a verticalshaft 66 on which are secured radial or other suitably disposed arms or blades 67. The shaft 66 at its lower end .is supported in a footstep or other suitable bearingcarried by the main structure and at its Vupper endl runs in a bearing carried by a suitable bracket or fixture inside the vessel. Motion `is imparted to the shaft 66 through bevel gearing 68 from a horizontal shaft 69 which runs in bearings 7 0 carried by the framework. 71 72 are fast and loose pulleys for imparting rotary motion to the shaft 69.

then be set in motion, or said plunger may be raised and placed in such a position that the annular recess 411 is placed in communication with the intermediate and lower sections 2, 4:, the press being maintained in this position until both sections are filled or nearly filled with the mixture of solids and liquid. The reciprocation of the main piston plunger or press 1G may then be commenced. The back-pressure pumps 49, may, in the meantime, have been set in motion. At each down stroke of the press 1G a quantity of the liquid or solution is forced through the filtering material 11 beneath the filter plate 35, through filter plate 35, through the filtering material 11 between the filter plate and perforated bottom or cover 1S of the main piston or plunger 16, and through the cover 1S into the interior of the main piston or plunger. From the latter it passes into the bariels 23 of the lift pumps at each down stroke of the main piston or plunger, being delivered on to the top or cover 21 of the main piston or plunger at each down stroke by means of the bucket and delivery valves 27. The filtered liquid then leaves by the annular launder 4G and spout 4T and flows into the launder 4S, along which, as previously stated, it may flow to any desired point for further treatment, or otherwise as preferred. On the downstroke of the main piston or plunger 16 a quantity of the solution or liquid is also forced through the filtering devices S. The covers and the outlets 65 at the bottom of the receiving vessel are kept closed until a sufficient quantity of the solids has been deposited or accumulated in the lower portion 4 of the vessel, say until the pressure in the cylinder indicated by pressure-gage in communication with the intermediate section 2, equals tu/'enty-five pounds per square inch or thereabout. The blind valves or covers of the outlets (35 are then opened or removed, and the separation of the liquid from the solids, and the discharge of the liquid and solids, is thereafter continuous, except for the renewal from time to time of the filtering material, as may be required, which may be easily and quickly effected. The slimes or mixture of solids and liquid is then forced into the receiving vessel through the annular recess 14 under a pressure of about 25 pounds per square inch. The incoming stream passes down on to the cushion or deposit of solids in the section 4f, filling the intermediate section 2 at each upstroke of the main piston or plunger 1G. The solids readily precipitate and the greater portion of the solution passes within the concentric cylinder 42. This solution is found to be comparatively free from solid matter and it is pumped out by the lift pumps as previously explained. On each down stroke of the main piston or plunger 16 the whole of thematter in the intermediate and lower sections 2, t, is compressed, the solution being forced through into the interior of the main piston or plunger and through the filtering devices S in the Walls of the intermediate and lower sections 2, t. On the completion of the down stroke of the main piston or plunger the solid matter in the lower section 4 is practically freed from solution or liquid and by succeeding strokes is forced out through the outlets ($5 for further treatment or for final disposal. The mixture being introduced into the receiving vessel under a pressure of twenty live pounds per square inch or thereahout thoroughly cleanses the whole area of. the re ceiving` vessel of any solids adhering thereto above the cushion of solids in the lower section f after each stroke of the main piston or plunger 16.

The filtering operation causes or tends to cause particles of the solids to adhere to and accumulate on the inner surfaces of the filter cloth, which, if allowed to remain, would materially impair the efficiency of the filter. The adhering solid matter is removed after each downstroke of the plunger or press by passing a small quantity of the separated solution or liquid over the whole area of each filter cloth from the back or in the reverse direction to the filtering flow, with a sudden impact. In the case of the detachable filtering devices 8, this is accomplished by means of the back-pressure pumps, and in the case of the large filter plate carried by the main piston plunger or press, by a small quantity of the separated solution or liquid which remains on the upper surface of the plate 35 and perforated bottom 1S, after each stroke. By the upstroke of the main plunger 1G a partial vacuum is created in the receiving vessel, and immediately the upstroke is commenced the solution on the top of the plate 35 and perforated bottom 18 is drawn back through the filtering material f1 due to the partial vacuum beneath it. This at once removes any adhering solids. lf this reverse flow were permitted to continue for a sufficient length of time the whole of the separated solution or liquid above the filter plate 35 would be drawn back into the receiving vessel. This however is not necessary as but little of the solution or liquid is required to cleanse the cloth, owing to the shock produced by the reversal of the direction of flow of the liquid. As soon as the cloth is cleansed the partial vacuum created by the upsfroke of the main plunger 1G is destroyed by the action of the back-pressure pumps 4:5), the latter being arranged so as to come into ac tion almost immediately the main plunger 1G commences its upstroke. The necessary quantity of solution or liquid for cleaning the main filter is obtained by adjusting the back-pressure pumps to act at any necessary position of the main plunger during its upstroke.

fasi-gia The requisite quantity of solution or liquidA Apump 49, pipe 51 and chamber 9 inthe Vfilter plateA 8 being kept full of solution or liquid by the action of the adjustable sluice valveV 57 provided on the end of the discharge pipe 56, see Fig. 7. The action of the back-pressure pumps is as follows z-The pump rod 58 is connected to a crank shaft, eccentric, or.

other gear, arranged to impart to it the same number of strokes as that of the mainpiston or plunger 16. Assuming the plungers 54, 58, to be at the bottom of their stroke, then the piston valve 59 is onits seat in the hollow plunger 54. On the upstrolie ofA the pump-rod 58 the piston valve 59rises until the shoulder G0 comes into contact with the cover 6l of the hollow plunger 54.l As it continues to rise the pump rod 58 raises thel hollow plunger until vthe upstroke is completed. On the downstroke the lpump rod 58 moves withinthe hollow plunger 54 until the piston valve 59 contacts with its seat, whereupon the continued downstroke of the pump rod 58 converts the hollow plunger 54 into a ram and forces the column of solution or liquid in tliepipe l'against the back of the filtering materialowith sufficient impact to remove the adhering solids. A From the time the piston valve 59 leaves its` seat inv the bottom of the hollow plunger 5,4 on the commencement of the upstrolie until it again comes into contact `with the seat during the downstrole, the Vsolutionfor liquid passing through the detachable filters 8 has a free passage past the piston valvey 59', through the hollow plunger 54 `and out of the discharge4 pipe 561i As the downstroke of the main plunger 16 iscompleted just before'V the lpiston valve 59 on its downstroke comes. on to its seat in the hollow plunger 54, the discharge of the filtered liquid-or solution` is accelerated by the pressurethrough thefiltering devices 8 given by they main plunger 16. t l u What I claim as my invention and desire toy protect by Letters Patent is :-V l. In filtering apparatus, the v`combination of a vessel, and :a piston` reciprocal therein, said piston carrying filtering means, means for removing the separated liquid from the piston and means for obtaining-.the fiow of aV portion of the separated liquid through the filter in a direction opposite to that of the filtering flow. f y

2. In filtering apparatus, the combination of a vessel and a Y piston` reciprocal therein, said piston being arranged to control the admission of the mixture to the vessel and carrying filtering means throughl :which the liquid` is forced by the movement ofthe piston, means for removing the separated liquid from the piston and means for Vobtaining the flow of a portion of the liquid 'through the filter in a direction opposite to `that of the filtering flow on the reversal of the movement of the piston. y t 3. In ltering apparatus, the combination of a vessel for receiving the mixture of solids and liquid, a piston reciprocal therein and adapted to control the admission of the mixture and carrying filter means, and means for diverting the incoming charge someV distance below said filtering means.

` "4. In filtering apparatus, theV combination `of a vessel constructed to provide an inlet for the mixture of solids and liquid, a piston reciprocally arranged inside the vessell and adapted to control the admission of the mixture to the vessel and carryin filtering means through which the liquid is forced by the 4movement of the piston, and means consisting of a hollow open ended cylinder fixed to the piston for diverting the incoming charge some distance below said filter means.- i

5. In filtering apparatus, the combination of a vessel for receiving the mixture of solids and liquid, a piston reciprocally arranged inside said vessel, said piston having a perforated end plate grooved on the outside to `make said perforationsintercommunicating, filtering :material arranged next Vthe end plate, a perforated filter plate having concentric and radial grooves in communication with the perforations and filtering` material covering the outside of said latter plate and means for attaching the filtering material and plate to the perforated end plateJ of the piston. Y

6. Infilteringg` apparatus, the combination ofra vessel, a piston reciprocally arranged insidev said vessel, filtering means carried by said piston, a lift-pump comprising a pump barrel and suction valve fixed to and movable with the piston and a stationary bucket u andhd'elivery valve for removing the segarated liquid Afrom the piston. Af

In ltering apparatus, the combination of` a vessel, a plurality of detachable filtering devices fixed in the walls of said vessel, a piston reciprocally arranged inside the vessel and filtering means carried by said piston.

8. Infiltering apparatus, the combination of a vessel, a plurality of detachable filtering devices fixed in the walls of said vessel, a piston reciprocally arranged inside the vessel, filtering means carried by said piston and means for causing a quantity of the separated liquid to pass through said filtering devices in the reverse direction to that of the filtering flow.

9. In filtering apparatus, the combination of a vessel, a plurality of detachable filtering devices fixed in the Walls of said fback pressure pump for forcing a quantity vessel, a piston reciprocally arranged inside the vessel, filtering means carried by said piston, means for causing a quantity of the separated liquid to pass through said filtering devices in the reverse direction to that of the filtering flow and means for maintaining the detachable filtering devices full of the separated liquid.

10. In filtering apparatus, the combination of a vessel, a plurality of detachable filtering devices fixed in the Walls of said vessel, a piston reciprocally arranged inside the vessel and filtering means carried by said piston, means for causing a quantity of the separated liquid to pass through said filtering devices in the reverse direction to that of the filtering flow, and means for maintaining the detachable filtering devices full of the separated liquid, said means comprising an adjustable sluice valve.

11. In filtering apparatus, the combination of a vessel, a plurality of detachable filtering devices fiXed in the Walls of said vessel, a piston reciprocal inside the vessel, means for passing a quantity of liquid through the filtering devices in the reverse direction to that of the filtering flow comprising a cylinder in communication With each filtering device, a hollow piston in communication at the bottom with the cylinder and having a discharge pipe at the top, a sluice valve fitted to the discharge pipe, a pump rod Working Within the holloW plunger, said rod carrying a valve adapted to close the aperture in the bottom of the plunger.

12. In filtering apparatus, the combination of a vessel, a plurality of filtering devices in the Walls of said vessel, said devices each consisting of a plat-e having a perforated and grooved inner face communicating With an internal chamber, filtering material covering said perforated and grooved face and means for conducting the separated liquid from said internal chamber.

13. In filtering apparatus, the combination of a vessel, a plurality of filtering devices in the Walls of said vessel, said devices each consisting of a plate having a perforated and grooved inner face communicating With an internal chamber, filtering ma terial covering said perforated and grooved face, means for conducting the separated liquid from said internal chamber, and a of the separated solution through said filtering device in the reverse direction to that o'l' the filtering flow.

14. In filtering apparatus, the combinan tion of a vessel comprising a cylindrical upper and an inverted conical lower section, said latter section constructed with an outlet for the separated solids, a piston reciprocal Within the cylindrical section and filtering devices in the Walls of both sections through Which the liquid is forced by the movement of the piston.

15. In filtering apparatus, the combination of a vessel comprising a cylindrical upper and an inverted conical lower section, said latter section constructed with an outlet for the separated solids, a piston recipro- :al Within the cylindrical section, filtering means carried by said piston and filtering devices in the Walls of both sections through Which the liquid is forced by the movement of the piston.

16. In filtering apparatus, thel combina tion of a. vessel comprising a cylindrical upper section and an inverted conical lower section, ltering devices in the walls of bolli sections, the inverted conical section being constructed at the bottom to provide outlets` for the sepaated solid matter, means for discharging the separated solid matter through said outlets. and a piston reciprocal Within the vessel for forcing the liquid through the filtering devices.

17. In filtering appa atus, the combination of a vessel comprising a cylindrical upper section and an inverted conical lower section, filtering devices in the Walls of both sections, the inverted conical section being` constructed at the bottom to provide outlets for the separated solid matter, means lor discharging the separated solid matter through said outlets, a piston reciprocal Within the vessel for forcing` the liquid through the filtering devices, filtering means carried by the piston, and means for remov ing the separated liquid from the interior of the piston.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

. ALEXANDER JOHN ARBUCKLE.

Witnesses CHAs. OVENDALE, R. OvENDALn. 

